Electric-railway conduit.



E. E. GRANGERL ELECTRIC RAlLWAY GONDUIT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 190e.

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No. 898,216. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908.

l E. E. GRANGBR.

ELECTRIG RAILWAY CONDUIT.

A P I T1011 FILED Amm 1906.

P L 0A mums-SHEET 2.

' JZz/e/zaf EZULQTE @JU/20611" No. 898,216. -PATENTED SEPT. a, 190s.

E. E. GRANGER.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY CONDUIT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 4, 1906.

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. Np.` 898,218. PATENT-:D SEPT. 8, 1908.

E. E. GRANGBR.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY CONDUIT. APBLIOATION FILED AUG. 4, 180e.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

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ELMER E. GRANGER, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELE CTRIC-RAILWAY CON DUIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 4, 1906. Serial No. 329,244.

Patented Sept. 8, v1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER E. GEANGER, a citizen of the United States, ofChicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Railway Conduits; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to improvements in electric railways and refersmore specifically to an improved conduit for electric railways andelectrical transmission devices therefor of that class in which theconduit is preferably sealed and the working circuit is closed from theconductor or conductors in the conduit to the motor of an overhead carthrough suitable contacts in the wall of the conduit which coperate withcollecting devices or shoes carried by the car to close the motorcircuit.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a conduit of this typeand the electrical equipment therefor which shall produce a certain andreliable electrical connectionbetween the conductor or conductors withinthe conduit and the motor on the car, and operating in such manner thatonly the electrical transmitting devices in that part of the conduitimmediately beneath the car are included in the closed working circuitand thereby avoiding danger of exposed street contacts tending toendanger life; and to provide an improved construction for closing theworking circuit so arranged as to insure a positive and prompt closingand breaking of the several sections of the transmitting devices.

Other objects -of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and the claims appended hereto.

I `have shown in the drawings herein a practical embodiment of myinvention, but it will be understood that the construction may be widelyvaried within the limits of the invention. i

In said' drawings Figure 1 is alongitudinal sectional view embodying myinvention, showing an overhead car. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the exposedsurface of the conduit through which the working circuit is closed tothe motor, showing indotted 'lines certain of the electricalconnections. Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical section of a portion ofthe railway tracks and the relation of my improved conduit to the .railsthereof. Fig. 4 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical section of theclosed conduit. Fig. 5 is a view, diagrammatic in its nature,illustrating the relation of the safety switches to the circuits in theconduit through which the working circuit is closed. Fig. 6 is afragmentary longitudinal view of the conduit illustrating the normal orinoperative position of oneof the safety switches. Fig. 7 is a similarview illustrating the switch in position to close the circuit. Fig. 8 isa perspective view of said switch. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of aportion of one of the connectors, showing means for maintaining propertension on said connectors. Fig. l0 is a perspective view illustratingmagnetic bars located in the top of the conduity and constituting poleextensions of the magnet on the car. Fig. 11 is a transverse verticalsection of the conduit, showing a slightly modified form of the safetyswitch. Fig. l12 is a transverse section of avconnector illustratingastill further modiiied form of the safety switch. Fig. 13 is afragmentary plan view, diagrammatic in its nature, of the form of switchshown in Fig. 12, together with the part which coperates therewith. Fig.14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which Vthe switchterminals engage the contact studs in the conduit wall.

As shown in said drawings, A designates a portion of the car or vehicle,which carries a magnet B which in this instance, operates the electricaltransmitting mechanism Within the conduit, and provided with suitableelectric motors A1.l The car is also provided with collectors or shoesA2 A2 supported from the car by spring rods A3 which transmit the ofseparated contact pieces which extend through the upper wall of theconduit, as herein shown, and are exposed outside of the conduit forcontact with said collectors A2 on the car, and through which thecurrent is transmitted from the electrical devices in the conduitthrough to the motor on the car.

The conduit consists, as herein shown, of a bottom wall c, side walls c1cl made of channel cross-section, as herein shown, and a top wall c2;said top and bottom walls being suitably secured to the flanges oftheside walls by bolts. Packing strips c3 are interposed between said side,top and bottom walls for the purpose of sealing the conduits against theentrance of water. The top wall of the conduit may be, and preferablyis, made of wood or other insulating material. Metallic protectingstrips C1 extend longitudinally, at each side of the top wall of theconduit and are secured. thereto by bolts. Said top wall is suitablyperforated for the extension therethrough of the shanks f of thecontacts F, which latter' are shown as elongated on the street in thedirection of the length of the conduit. The said contact pieces arefastened in place by nuts f1 and are surrounded at their lower ends byinsulating bushings or washers f2. The space between the side rails orstrips C1 may be filled with a layer of asphalt or other insulatingmaterial G and the outer ends ofthe contact pieces F, which are embeddedin said insulating layer, will preferably project slightly above thesurface thereof to afford proper engagement thereby of the shoes orbrushes A2. The feed and return conductors D D1 are shown as located inelongated passages formed partially in up* per and partially in lowerstrips c4 c5, made of wood or other insulating material, whereby saidconductors are insulated from each other and from the transmittingmechanism within the conduit. The conduit is divided into laterallyseparated chambers by a central partition c, and the side walls of theconduit are lined with insulating strips or boards c7. The arrangementherein shown is pro vided for a system wherein both the feed and returnwires are located within the conduit. The invention is, however,applicable to systems wherein the current is returned through aconductor outside the conduit, as one of the track rails.

In the construction under consideration, but a single row of contactpiecec F are employed and the flexible, undulatoryconnectors E El do notcontact directly with said contact-pieces F. The working circuit isclosed through said single row of contacts F by the following devices:The conduit is provided in its top wall, on each side of the centralline of the contact pieces F, with two rows of contact pieces H H1having the form of studs located vertically above and adapted forcontact with said connectors E El when said connectors are raised by theaction of the magnet. One set or row of studs, the studs H, areconnected with the central set of contact pieces F by connecting` wires7i., while the other set of studs H1 are likewise connected with thecentral contact pieces by other connecting wires 72.1. Each. contactpiece F is, therefore,"connected with a positive and a negative stud HH1, respectively. rFhe studs H H1 connected with each of the contactpieces F are located infront and rear of the latter, respectively, asshown in Fig. 2, and the magnet B and the shoes A2 on the car are soarranged that as the connectors E El are moved into contact with twolaterally opposite studs H Hl under the influence of the magnet B, oneof the shoes A2 will engage one of the contact pieces F of the centralrow connected with and in front of one of said studs, while the othershoe will engage a contact F connected with and in rear of the otherstud. lt will thus be seen that the motor circuit is closed at any giventime, for instance, through one of the connectors, as

the connector E, the stud H engaged thereby, one of the contact piecesF, one of the shoes A2, the motor, the other shoe A2, the contact Fengaged by saidlattershoe, the stud h1 and the connector El. The circuitjust traced begins and terminates with said con- Referring now to theconstruction and op- I eration of the safety-switches illustrated inFigs. 1 to 8, inclusive, by which the sections of the undulatoryconnectors are connected with. the supply and return conductors the carpasses over the same, andv through which the working circuit is closedto the motor, these parts are made as follows: @ne convenient form ofswitch I is shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and S, and in position lin theconduit in Fig. l. figures has the form of a lever, it consisting of twolike parts or members located side by side, each composed of an arm Iland an arm I2 on opposite sides of a-centrally disposed, horizontalpivot pin i. rlhe said switch members are connected by an insulatingblock through which extends the pivot pin fi. Said switches are locatedjust below the top wall of the conduit and the pivot pins i, thereofextend between and are supported The switch shown. in said on thecentral partition c6 and the side linings c7, as most clearly shown inFig. 4. The said two member switches are located in pairs either side byside or one inadvance of the other, when both feed and return conductorsare within the conduit. One end or arm Il of each switch is providedwith terminals il adapted for contact with contact pieces t2 lixed tothe adjacent lining c7 of the side wall of the conduit and partition c(Fig. 4). The other end of the two member switch is provided withterminals i3 i4 adapted for contact with other contact pieces t5 iprojecting inwardly from said insulated partitions and linings 0607,respectively. The contact pieces ft2 on the two sides of the circuit areconnected with the adjacent conductors D or D1 by means of wires i7 i7(Fig. 5). The contact pieces 'i5 t6 at each side of the conduit Vareconnected with the adjacent sections of the appropriate connectors E Elby means of wires i8 i. Whenthe switches are closed, the Working circuitis closed from one of the main conductors through the adjacent switchand thence to two sections of the adjacent connector, from whence it istransmitted through the contacts F and shoes A2 to the motor, and thereturn current is transmitted through the other shoe A2, thecontacts Fand other undulatory connector, through the terminals i5 i6 of the otherswitch and said switch, the contact i2 and wire i7 to the other mainconductor.

An important feature of the present invention embraces the manner ofclosing and opening the safety switches combined with the manner ofmounting the switches, whereby is avoided danger of short circuiting thecurrent from one conductor to another through the contacts F at a timewhen the car is not over a given length of the conduit. The switchesnormally occupy the position shown in Fig. 6 with the arms Il of theswitch swung downwardlyand the switch terminals i3 i4 in vengagementwith their appropriate stationary contacts i5 i6. Normally also, theconnectors lie fiat on the floors of the lateral chambers of theconduit, as shown in Fig. 4. As the car moves along the track, themagnet carried thereby, or other magnets energized by the presence ofthe car, raises the connectors in a wave-like or undulatory movement forthe purpose of raising the same into contact with the contact studs H,H1 as before stated, and also for the purpose of mechanically raisingthe depressed ends of the switches I and to bring their terminals 1 intocontact with their co-acting stationary terminals i2. lnasmuch as themechanical lifting of the normally depressed ends of the switches tendsto lower the normally raised ends thereof. This result may be effectedby magnetically holding the ends I2 of the switches in their elevatedpositions when the other ends thereofI are raised and so constructingthe switches, either by making them of spring-metal, or providing lostmotion at their pivots, whereby both ends may be held up to theircontacts at the same time. Moreover, it is necessary to provide meansfor holding both ends of the switches against their contacts for a timeafter the connectors drop to their lower positions. Such holding of theswitches is magnetically effected by means permitting the switches toopen before the car passes off the part of the conduit in which they arelocated. l have herein shown one practical form of mechanism formagnetically effecting these results, that cooperate with the magnet onthe car, and which will now be described; located in the top wall of theconduit are a number of downwardly facing bars which are energized bythe magnet on the car and constitute, in effect, pole extensions of thesaid magnet. The switches are provided at their ends with magnetic polepieces designed for contact with said pole extensions, the end l1 ofeach switch being provided with a single magnetic pole piece il", andthe other or forked end of the switch being provided with like magneticpole pieces i in. The said magnetic pole pieces il and u are insulatedfrom the switches by insulating blocks, as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8.The said magnetic bars or pole extensions are shown more clearly inFigs. 4, 5 and 10. In the construction under consideration, three ofsuch magnetic bars are employed, J and J-1 J 1, the bar J being locatedbetween the bars J l and separated therefrom by air gaps or otherwise.Each of said bars are longitudinally divided into sections ofappropriate length corresponding to the length of the sections of theundulatory magnetic connectors, and said sections are separated at theirends by air gaps or otherwise. The central bar J is provided withopenings j through which may extend, the shanksf of the contact piecesF. The longitudinal spaces between said bars J J1 may be filled by ribsdepending from the non-conducting top wall of the conduit, and the studsH, H1 may be attached to said ribs, or otherwise attached to said wall.The central sections J of the multi-pole extensions meet end to end atpoints intermediate the meeting ends of the outer sections J1 of saidpole extensions, as more clearly shown in Fig. 10, for a purposehereinafter described.

The principal parts of the safety switches l, as herein shown, are madeof spring metal, or at least the arms of said switches are made ofspring metal, in order to permit both ends of the switches to be raisedat the same time. The same general result may be secured in a lstraightswitch by providing a slotted piv- Cri otal connection therefor, asshown in Fig. 11, hereinafter described. ln Fig. 5 is illustrated theposition of said switches relatively to the sections of the poleextensions. As herein shown, each switch is so arranged that 'themagnetic pole piece of the end l1 thereof bridges the space between thecentral part of the pole extension and one of the side parts thereof,and may, therefore, be held in its upper or closed position when eitherof the members of the pole extension is energized, while the magneticpole piece of one member of the arm l2 is adapted for contact with thecentral iiieinbei of the pole extension and. the magnetic pole piece ofthe other member of the aiin I2 is likewise adaptedv for contact withthe adjacent outer or side member of the pole extension. The terminal ofone ol" the members of the arm I2 of each switch may, therefore, be heldengaged with its associated contact piece while the terminal of theother member of said arm is depressed from its contact piece, as shownin Fig. 7. The construction therein shown consists, in eltect, of twoswitches mounted on a single pivot and insulated from each other. Thetwo members of each switch. may, however, be separatelyT mounted, er theswitch may be otherwise construeted. The normally depressed end Il ofthe switch is provided on its under face with an insulating extensioni12 adapted for engagement by the undulatory connector to raise theswitch to its closing position.

The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows: As thecar moves along the track the undulatory connectors E El are lifted bythe magnet on the car, or other suitably placed magnets, in a wavelikeor undulatory motion into contact with the studs H H1, as shown in Fig.Il. The raising ol" said connectors operate ahead of the magnets on theear, relatively to the direction of movement of the car, to raise thenormally depressed ends of the safety switches and thereby close themotor circuit through said switches. The tendency of raising thedepressed ends of said switches in the manner stated is to lowei theopposite ends thereof, but this tendency is overcome by the magneticaction of the pole extensions J J1 which act on the pole pieces 11 ofthe normally raised. ends of the switches to hold the terminals t3 itagainst their contact pieces in the manner stated. When the switch isthus raised, the circuit is closed through said switch to both sectionsoi the associated connector with which the two arms ol" the switch areconnected. That is, the section of said connector which extendsforwardly and that which extends rearwardly from the insulation cdividing said sections.

It is assumed that the car shown in Fig. l is traveling to the left. Itwill be seen from said Fig. l that the switch l". at the right hand sideol' the ligure has been closed by mechanical action, and is being heldin its closed position by the magnetic action of said pole extensions.ln the continued progress of the car, when the magnet passes beyond thesection ol.: the central member J of the pole extension with which theswitches, shown iii Fig. 5, cooperate, said section will bedemagnetized. and the members el the switches which carry the contactpieces i3 drop away from their contacts fr, as indicated in Fig. 7, sothat the sections of the connectors iii rear of said switches are cutout ol" the circuit. The contact pieces ol the ends l1 oi the switchesare, however, held up to their contacts by the magnetic attraction. ol.lthe adj acent sections of the outer members of the `pole extension,which sections ol5 said outer members extend beyond the sections oi' theinner or central member, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and l0. rlhe othermembers l of' the switches, whose terminals engage the contacts i5, arelikewise held. up to their contacts until the magnet en the cai' passesbeyond said sections of the outer members of the pole extension, therebyinsuring a closed circuit through the lconnectors as long as the cai' isover the part of the conduit containing the same. part el the conduitincluding the next forward pair oi switches, the magnet on the caroperates through the pole extension to hold the arms l2 oi said nextadjacent switches to their contacts during the time the normallydepressed ends ol said switches are raised, and said switches are heldin their closed Apositions until the magnet on the car passes beyond themagnetic influence of the sections of the pole extensions associatedtherewith. This operation continues throughout tlie length ol" theconduit so long as the car is in motion. lt will, of course, beunderstood that the sections of the connectors and the sections ol" thepole extensions are of such length that said sections ol" the connectorsare cut out of the working circuit before the sanie are exposed in. rearof the moving car, so that there is no danger of the conduit, in rear oradvance ol" a passing car, being charged in a manner to endanger thelives of persons passing thereover, As soon as a car has passed over andaway from a part of the conduit containing a given pair of switches l,and the sections of the pole extensions coinieiating therewith aredeenergized,

the ends l1 ol said switclies drop by gravity and assume the positionindicated in Fig. (3. When the switches are in this position there is nodanger of short-circuiting the current from one side of the conduit tothe other through the exposed contact pieces F oi the conduit and anintervening conductor in the event that said undulatory connectors beaccidentally raised, through breakage or part Likewise, when the caireaches the ing thereof, or in the event the switches be Y structionpreviously described, the pole exheld raised by accidental sticking ofthe connector caused by arcing due to imperfect contact for the reasonthat the raising of such weighted ends of the switches at this timeserves through the lever action of the switches to depress the ends I2thereof and prevents the closing of the switches.

In order to prevent both ends of a switch being thrown upwardly to itsclosed position by raising of the connector along such a length as toengage both ends of the switch, I may provide a shield K, located belowthe end-I2 of the switch and extending between and attached at its endsto the sides of the conduit chamber, as shown in Fig. 4. Such shieldprevents the connector being brought into contact with the end I2 of theswitch and, therefore, avoids the contingency referred to. In practicethe parts are so arranged that the switches and connector sections areraised into and lowered from their contacts at a time when the circuitis open, thus avoiding` arcing at the contact points which might tend tooverheat or melt and cause the same to stick.

In Fig. 11 is shown a construction wherein only thefeed or supply wireis contained in the conduit, the return conductor being located outsidethe conduit, as, for instance, the track rail. In this construction buta single undulatory strip M is employed. The said strip actsmechanically to operate a switch N through which the working circuit isclosed from the supply conductor D2 in the conduit and through thecontact pieces F to the motor. The switch is provided with terminals n'nl which are adapted for contact with stationary contact pieces n2 n3,respectively, in the conduit. The said contacts n2 are connected withthe main conductor by wires n4, while the several contacts n3 areconnected with the externally exposed contact pieces F by means of wiresn?. The switch N is weighted at its end which carries the contact piecenl and is normally depressed at said end, butv is adapted to be raisedby the strip through a slot of the lever.

M in the same mannerv as before set forth The pole extension, comprisingthe members or bars O and O1, operate in a manner like the poleextensions before described, to as sist in closing the switches andmaintaining them closed for the desired length of time. In thisinstance, the switch is made rigid and is pivoted to the centralpartition P of the conduit by means of a pivot'pin p extending Suchslotted connection permits both en'ds of the switch to bring the contactpieces thereof in contact with their associated contacts at the sametime, as'is obvious. When the switch is out of operation the endcarrying the contact piece nl is depressed or swung downwardly while theother end engages the member O of the pole extension. As in thecontension serves to hold the normally elevated end of the switch fromfalling when the other end thereof is raised and also operates to holdboth ends of the switch uppermost to maintain the circuit closed for theproper period. It will be observed that the strip M of this constructionserves merely as a mechanical means for operating the switch and doesnot constitute part of the circuit through which current is carried fromthe supply conductor to the motor. If desired, however, current from thesupply wire in the conduit may be transmitted to said contacts F in thesame general manner as in the construction previously described.

The switches described constitute safety devices by which is avoidedliability of the transmitting mechanism of the conduit being dangerouslycharged at times other than when a car is located thereover, and mayoperate otherwise than herein shown for this purpose. They are hereinshown as adapted to close the working circuit. The same principle may,however, be applied to such a safety switch which is not normally in theswung upwardly by the accidental raising of the connector againstcontacts through which the current is short-circuited, witha result thata portion of such short circuit may be burned out. Similarly, theconnectors, or one of them, may be permanently connected with theconductors or one of them, and the switches employed to short circuitthe current in the same manner. The latter construction is shown inFigs. 12 to 14, both inclusive. In this construction the switches R aredesigned to be permanently connected with one of themain conductors S,as by a conductor s, and the normally depressed end of the switch, whenraised, 'is adapted for engagement directly with the contact studs H, asshown in Fig. 14. The switch has a plurality of terminals r adapted forcontact with said contact studs H. The terminals extend from one side ofa rod r1 which is pivotally mounted at R1 on the central partition cb ofthe conduit; and the switch is provided with a tail-piece R2 having amagnetic pole piece R3, insulated therefrom. Magnetic bars or poleextensions T T are located in the top wall of the conduit and operate inthe manner heretofore described to hold the normally elevated CIY end ortail-piece of the switch in its uppermost position at a time when theother end of said switch is raised and held up by the undulatory stripassociated therewith. Located beneath the single end or tail-piece ofeach switch is a contact piece r2 that is adapted to be engaged by aterminal r3 carried by said tail-piece and is connected by a wire s1with the conductor S opposite to the conductor permanently connectedwith the associated switch. When the terminals or ends r of the switchesare raised into contact with the studs H the working circuit is closedfrom one of the main conductors S, the wire or conductor s, the switchR, the studs H, the street contacts F, thence back through the studs Hin the opposite sides of the conduit and associated switch R to theother conductor S. When the switch is in itsinoperative position, asshown in Fig. 12, the superior weight of the multi-terminal end of theswitch acts by gravity to hold the tailpiece in its elevated position.During the time the switch is closed the tail-piece and its terminal isheld up to its associated magnetic bar or pole extension by the actionof the magnet on the car or other suitably placed magnets.

The terminal r3 on the tail-piece of the switch and the contact piece r2arranged as described are provided. to short-circuit the current in caseof accidental raising of the undulatory connector, such as to raise themulti-terminal end of the switch into contact with the associatedcontact studs H. When this occurs, there being no magnetic force to holdthe tail-piece elevated, the lever action of the switch operates toswing the terminal of the tail-piece into contact with the contact piecer2 and thereby shortcircuit the current. The conductors through whichthe current is short-circuited may be led to a suitable point outside ofthe conduit to a fuse-box R20 and arranged to burn out a fuseconstituting part of the path of the short-circuited current, andthereby render the closing of the switch harmless at this time. Only aportion of one switch is shown in Fig. 13, but it will be understoodthat the corresponding switch at the other side of the conduit isoppositely disposed relatively to the switch shown. In practice themultiterminal end of the switch may be so disposed that said terminalsare not raised by the lever action into actual contact with the contactstuds H, indicated in Fig. 14, but it is only those terminals engaged bythe undulatory strip at any given time that engage their associatedcontact studs. In this manner the working circuit is closed through notmore than two street contacts at a time, thereby minimizing leakage oicurrent on the street.

The connectors may include or embody tensiondevices such. as the springconnections c1, (Fig. 9) which operate to maintain proper tension uponthe connectors to prevent the same from buckling when expanded, and frombecoming unduly taut when contracted.

While the switches herein illustrated are raised to their closingpositions directly by the mechanical action of the magnetically operatedconnector or strip, it will be observed that said switches may beproperly said. to be magnetically operated and, in some instances, maybe so operated when in circuit with. an undulatory connector with.- outthe interposition of a mechanical element, as the connector or strip.

`While it may be ordinarily unnecessary to disconnect but one of saidmain conductors when properly insulated to avoid danger in. the abovecontingency to persons and trai lic on surface of the street, theemployment ot said safety devices for both positive and negative sidesas shown `furnishes an absolute safe-guard against possible defectiveinsulation within the conduit and eilfectually prevents all possibilityoi the system under any condition being short circuited on surface olfYthe street.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof and a conductor in the conduit, of a'flexible strip or connector in the conduit capable ol an undulatorymovement throughout its length under the action oi a magnet, andswitches arranged along the length of the conduit. through which theworking circuit is closed and controlled by said strip or connector.

2. The combination with a conduit, the exteriorly exposed contactsthereof and a conductor in the conduit, of a flexible strip or connectorin the conduit capable of an l.

flexible strip or connector in the conduit extending from end to endthereof and. capable of an undulatory movement under the action of amagnet, said strip or connector being divided into a plurality olsections insulated from eachother, and switches in the conduit arrangedto be controlled by the strip or con.- nector.

4. The combination with a conduit, the exteriorly exposed contactsthereof and a conductor in the conduit, oi a strip or connector in theconduit capable of an undulatory movement under the action of a inagnet, and switches within the conduit, spaced at distances apart .notgreater than the length ot a car, controlled by said strip or connector.

5. The combination with a conduit, the exteriorly exposed contactsthereof and a El U conductor in the car, of a mechanically continuousstrip or connector in the conduit extending from end to end thereof andcapable of an undulatory movement under the action of a magnet anddesigned to constitute part of the circuit over which current is passedto the motor of an overhead car, and switches in the conduit controlledby said strip or connector, said strip or connectoi being divided into aplurality of sections electrically insulated from each other.

6. The combination with a supply conductor, a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed contacts of the conduit, of magnetically operated means in theconduit for closing the circuit between said conductor and contacts,including automatic devices cooperating with said circuit closing meansoperating to prevent establishment of said circuit at a time when thenormally open parts of said circuit closing means are moved towardstheir closing positions by other than magnetic means.

7. The combination with aconductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed contacts of said conduit, of magnetically operated switches inthe conduit through which the circuit is closed between the conductorand said contacts, and means whereby establishment of said' circuit isprevented at' a time when the switches are moved toward their closingpositions by other than magnetic means.

8. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts embracing a strip in the conduit capable of undulatory movementunder the action of a magnet, and automatic means for preventing theestablishment of a circuit between said conductor and contacts when saidstrip is raised 'by other than magnetic means.

9. In an electric railway system, the conibination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of

means for closing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorlyexposed contacts comprising a strip in the conduit capable of anundulatory movement under the action of a magnet, switches in theconduit mechanically controlled by the said strip and means forcontrolling said switches to prevent the establishment of a circuitbetween the conductor of the conduit and the exposed contacts when thestrip is raised by other than magnetic means.

. 10. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided in its-wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, a supply conductor therefor, andtransmission devices for establishing electric connection between theconductor and said contact pieces embracing switches in the conduit, astrip in the conduit in circuit with said conductor and capable of anundulatory motion under the action of a magnet, and means forcontrolling said switches to prevent the establishment of a circuitbetween the conductor and contact pieces when the strip is raised byother than magnetic means.

11. In an electric railway system, a closed conduit providedin its wallwith exteriorly exposed contact pieces, a supply conductor therefor, andtransmission devices for establishing electric connection between theconductor and said contact pieces embracing switches in the conduit, astrip in said conduit capable of an undulatory motion under the actionof a magnet, said strip mechanically operating said switches and theswitches constituting parts of the transmitting circuit between theconductor and contacts, and means for controlling said switches toprevent the establishment of a circuit between the conductor and contactpieces when the strip is raised by other than magnetic means.

12. The combination with a conductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed contacts of the conduit, of a flexible strip or connector in theconduit through which the circuit is closed between the conductor andsaid contacts, and automatic devices located in the conduit forpreventing the establishment of a circuit between the connector and saidcontacts when the connector is raised by other than magnetic means.

13. The combination with a conductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed contacts of the conduit, of a flexible strip or connector in theconduit composed of sections insulated from each other through which thecircuit is closed between the conductor and said contacts, and automaticdevices located in the conduit for preventing theestablishment of acircuit between the connector to said contacts when the connector israised by other than magnetic means.

14. The combination with a conductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed contacts of the conduit, of a flexible strip or connector in theconduit through which the circuit is closed between the conductor andsaid contacts, magnetically controlled switches in the conduitconstituting also parts of said circuit, and means for controlling saidswitches to prevent the establishment of a circuit between saidconductor and contacts when the connector is raised by other thanmagnetic means.

l5. In an electric railway system, the conibinatioii with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a strip in the conduit capable of an undulatorymovement under the action of a magnet, and a switch in the conduitmecl'ianically controlled. by said strip.

16. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a strip in the conduit in circuit with saidconductor and contact pieces, and capable of a vertical undulatorymovement under the action of a magnet, and a switch in the conduit incircuit with the conductor and arranged to be mechanically moved inposition to close the circuit between the conductor and said contactswhen said strip is raised.

17. In an electric railway system, a closed conduit provided in its wallwith exteriorly exposed contact pieces, a supply conductor therein andtransmission devices for establishing electrical connection between. theconductor and contact pieces, comprising switches in the conduit andcombined mechanical and magnetic means for operating said switches:including a magnetically controlled, undulatory strip in the conduit.

18. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor in. a conduit and theexteriorly exposed contacts in the wall of the conduit comprising aswitch in the conduit and a strip capable of undulatory movement underthe action of a magnet which is moved into contact with the switch toclose the same.

19. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of

means for closing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorlyexposed contacts, comprising 'a flexible connector composed of insulatedsections and capable of an undulatory movement under the action of amagnet and magnetically controlled switches for closing the circuitbetween the sections of said connector and said conductor.

20. In an electric railway system, the comn bination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a switch in circuit with the conductor, and a stripin the conduit cap able of undulatory movement under the action of amagnet for closing said switch, said switch being normally open at oneend and normally closed at its other end, said strip acting on thenormally open end of the switch to close the same.

21. In an electric railway system, the com# bination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the collductor and said extcriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a switch in circuit with. the conductor, a strip.in the conduit capable of undulatory movement under the action of amagnet for closing said switch, one end of said switch being normallyopen and the other end normally closed, said strip acting on thenormally open end of the switch to close the same, and magnetic meansacting on the normally closed end of the switch. to hold said end closedwhile the other end thereof is being moved to its closed position.

In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a flexible connector composed of insulated sectionsand capable of an undulatory movement under the action of a magnet andmagnetically controlled switches for closing the circuit between thesections of said connector and said conductor, said. switches beingconstructed. and arranged to complete the operative closing of theworhing circuit only when the switch is magnetically controlled.

In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductmf, of means forclosing the circuit between. the conductor and said exteriorly exposed.contacts, comprising a .flexible strip capable olf' an undulatorymovement under the influence of a jinagnct, a switch one end of which isnormally open and the other normally closed, said strip acting on thenormally open end of the switch to close the same, means for holding thenormally closed end of the switch closed while the other end is beingclosed, and operating when the strip is raised 1.

by other than magnetic means to prevent the o erative closing of theworking circuit t irough said switch,

211. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts, comprising a flexible connector composed of insulated sectionsand capable of an undulatory movement under the action of aA magnet,magnetically controlled switches for closing the circuit between thesections of said connector and said conductor, and means for controllingsaid switches to complete the operative closing of the working circuitonly when the switches are magnetically controlled, said switches havingthe form of a lever and being so arranged that the normally closed endthereof is open when the other end is closed at a time when the switchis demagnetized.

25. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly extact pieces, embracingswitches the conposed contactsthereof, and a conductor, of duit consisting of levers pivoted betweenmeans for closing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorlyexposed contacts, comprising a switch in circuit with the conductor, anda strip in the conduit capable of undulatory movement under the actionof a magnet for closing said switch, one end of said switch beingnormally open and the other end normally closed, said strip acting onthe normally open end of the switch to close the same, and magneticmeans acting on the normally closed end of the switch to hold said endclosed while the other end thereof is being moved to its closedposition, and operating thereafter to hold the switch closed after saidstrip is moved out of contact therewith.

26. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided in its wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, a supply conductor therein, andtransmission devices for establishing electric connection between saidconductor and contact pieces embracing switches in the conduit,consisting of pivoted levers provided at their ends with terminals,

stationary contacts in the conduit adapted for engagement with saidterminals, each of said switchesbeing so arranged'that one of thevterminals thereof is normally engaged with its associated stationaryContact, while the other terminal is out of engagement with itsstationary contact, means for mechanically closing said switches tobring the latter terminals in engagement with their stationary contacts,and magnetic means for holding .the normally engaged terminals inengagement with their stationary contacts during the closing movement ofthe switches.

27. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided with exteriorlyexposed contact pieces, a supply conductor in the conduit and means forestablishing electrical connection between said conductor and contactpieces.

embracing switches in the conduit consisting of levers pivoted betweentheir ends and provided at their ends lwith terminals, stationarycontacts in the conduit adapted for engagement'with said terminals, eachof said switches being so mounted that one end thereof is normallyretracted from its associated contact, while the terminal of the otherend is normally engaged with its contact, mechanical means for movingthe retracted ends of the switches to close the same, and magnetic means.for holding the terminals of the other ends of the switches with theircontacts during the closing movementv of the switches. v

28. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided with exteriorlyexposed contact pieces, a supply conductor in the conduit, and means forestablishing electrical connection between said conductor and contheirends and provided at their ends with terminals, stationary contacts inthe conduit adapted for engagement lwith said terminals, each of saidswitches being so mounted that one terminal thereof is normallyretracted from its associated contact while the other terminal is innormal engagement with its associated contact, a strip in the conduitcapable of undulatory motion under the influence of a magnet and adaptedto move the retracted ends of the switches to close the same, and meansoperating to hold the terminals at the other ends of the switchesengaged with their contacts only when the strip is raised under theaction of a magnet.

29. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided with exteriorly,exposed contact pieces, a supply conductor in the conduit, and means forestablishing electrical connection between said conductor and contactpieces, embracing switches in the conduit consisting of levers pivotedbetween their ends and provided at their ends with terminals, stationarycontacts in the conduit adapted for engagement with said terminals, eachof said switches being so mounted that one end thereof is normallyretracted from its contact while the terminal at the other end thereofis normally engaged with its associated contact, a strip in the conduitcapable of undulatory motion under the influence of the magnet andadapted to engage the retracted ends of the switches to close thc same,and a magnetic bar in the conduit with which said normally elevated endsof the switches are engaged.

30. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided in its wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, interiorly exposed contact studsA inthe conduit electrically connected with said contact pieces, a supplyconductor within the conduit andtransmission devices for establishingelectrical connection between said conductor and studs embracingswitches in the conduit and a flexible connector capable of undulatorymovement under the action of a magnet to bring the connector intocontact with said studs and to also operate said switches.

31. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, theexteriorly exposed contacts thereof, and a conductor, of means forclosing the circuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposedcontacts comprising switches in the conduit, contacts in the conduitadapted for engagement by the terminals'of said switches, and a flexibleconnector in the conduit capable of undulatory movementunder the actionof a magnet-'for closing the switches, said connector being composed ofsections insulated from each other, and in circuit with said lattercontacts, each switch having at one end thereof two terminals forcontact with two associated contacts, one of which latter contacts is incircuit with one and the other with another of two adjacent sections ofthe connector.

32. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided in its Wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, interiorly exposed contact studs inthe conduit electrically connected with said contact pieces, a supplyconductor within the conduit, and transmission devices for establishingelectrical connection between said conductor and studs embracingswitches in the conduit, and a flexible connector capable of undulatorymovement under the action of a magnet to bring the same into contactwith said studs and to also operate the said switches, said connectorsbeing composed of sections insulated from each other, each switch havingat one end thereof, two terminals each adapted for electrical connectionwith one of the two adjacent sections of the connector.

33. In an electrical railway system, a conduit provided in its wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, feed and return conductors therein,and flexible conductive connectorsin the conduit capable of undulatorymotion under the action of a magnet, combined with switches mechanicallyoperated by said connectors and magnet for establishing a circuitbetween said conductors and through the contact pieces to a translatingdevice outside of a conduit, and means cooperating with said switchesoperating to prevent the establishment of a circuit between theconductors when the said connectors are raised by other than magneticmeans.

34. In an electric railway system, a conduit provided in its wall withexteriorly exposed contact pieces, a feed and return conductor in theconduit and transmitting devices for establishing a circuit from thefeed to the return conductor through the contact pieces and an externaltranslating device comprising switches in the conduit, flexibleconnectors also in said conduit capable of undulatory motion under theaction of a magnet and operating to mechanically raise said switches andarranged to constitute, together with said switches, parts of saidcircuit between tlie conductors, and means for controlling said switchesto prevent establisliment of a circuit between the conductors when theconnector is raised by other than magnetic means.

35. In an electrical railway system, the combination with a closedconduit, a row of contact pieces in the wall o f said conduit which areexposed to the exterior thereof, and two rows of contact studs exposedto the interior of the conduit and of opposite polarity and electricallyconnected with the outwardly exposed contact pieces, of supply andreturn conductors in said conduit, and means for electrically connectingsaid conductors with their corresponding interiorly exposed contactpieces.

36. In an electric railway system, the combination with a closedconduit, a supply and return conductor therein, a row of contact piecesin the wall of said conduit which are exposed to the exterior thereof,and two rows of contact studs of opposite polarity which are exposed tothe interior of the conduit and electrically connected with saidexteriorly exposed contact pieces, of means for establishing connectionbetween said conductors and said interiorly exposed contact studsembracing flexible magnetic strips or connectors.

37. In an electric railway system, the combination with a closedconduit, supply and return conductors therein, a central line ofexteriorly exposed contact pieces in the wall of the conduit, andcontact studs projecting into the interior of the conduit and arrangedon opposite sides of said central line of contact pieces andelectrically connected with the latter, of undulatory magneticconnectors adapted to be moved into engagement with said inwardlyprojecting contact. studs and comprising longitudinal sections insulatedfrom each other, and means for establishing electrical connectionsbetween the sections of said connectors and said conductors.

38. The combination with the conductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed coniA tacts thereof, of a iiexible strip capable of anundulatory motion under the action of a magnet and constituting meansfor controlling the working circuit between said conductor and contacts,and means controlled by said strip when raised by a magnet, whereby theworking circuit is closed and arranged to prevent establishment of thecircuit at atime when the strip is raised by other than magnetic means.

39. The combination with the conductor in a conduit and the exteriorlyexposed con.- tacts thereof, of a ilexible strip capable of anundulatory motion under the action of a magnet and constituting meansfor controli j ling the working circuit between said conductor andcontacts and constituting also part of said circuit, and meanscontrolled by said strip when raised by a magnet, whereby the workingcircuit is closed, and arranged to prevent establishment of the circuitat a time when the strip is raised by other than magnetic means.

40. In an electric railway system, the combination with a conduit, itsexteriorly exi posed contacts and a conductor, of means for closing thecircuit between the conductor and said exteriorly exposed contacts com--'prising a leXible7 mechanically continuous my invention alix mysignature in presence Connector composed of sections insulated of tWoWitnesses, this 6th day of July A. D. liom each other and capable of anunclulatory 1906.

movement under the action of a magnet, and ELMER E. GRANGER. switchesfor closing the circuit between the I Witnesses: sections of theconnector and said conductor. W. L. HALL,

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as GEORGE R. WILKINS.

